Ambulance care assistant
Look after elderly and disabled people by driving them safely to their hospital appointments and taking them home afterwards.
Also known as: patient transport service (PTS) driver
About the job
What it's like
You would be responsible for safely driving elderly or infirm people to their appointments at hospitals, healthcare and social services. You'd assist them in and out of the ambulance and take them home afterwards.
The people you drive may be frail or ill as well as being anxious and worried. Some patients will be elderly, have physical disabilities or mental health problems. Your kindness will reassure and comfort the patients and their relatives.
You would:
Help people out of their home and into the ambulance (which may involve some lifting)
Take them to their appointments on time
Take them home and make sure they are settled in before leaving
Carry out routine care of ambulance equipment and daily vehicle checks
Keep accurate records of journeys
You will often see the same people on a regular basis, some of whom may be lonely and vulnerable.
In some ambulance services, you could be trained to work in a high dependency team, where you would regularly drive patients with specific medical problems. You would keep in contact by radio or telephone with support staff at the control room who would give you advice about how to help the person if there was a medical emergency.
Most jobs are in the National Health Service, working for the Scottish Ambulance Service. You can see more about this role in the National Health Service on the ambulance care assistant page on the NHS Scotland Careers website. See the learning and development section for information about career structures, progression and rates of pay.
Hours
You would typically work 37.5 hours a week. Ambulance services operate 365 days a year, so you will be working shifts which will include evenings, weekends and bank holidays. Part-time hours are also available.
Environment
This work is quite physically demanding. Occasionally, you may deal with distressing situations or circumstances with seriously ill patients. You would wear a uniform and, at times, additional protective clothing such as a bright reflective coat and boots. You may work alone or in a two-person team, in an adapted ambulance or a standard car.
Travel
You would spend a lot of time driving, covering a particular geographical area.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- ambulances
- patient transport
- learning support
- urgent care
- health assessment
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- taking responsibility
- social conscience
- respecting
- empathising
- verbal communication
- listening
- cooperating
- building relationships
- resilience
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Care
Skills for Work: Health and Social Care
Although there are no formal entry requirements, three subjects including English, Maths and a science subject is recommended.
Any qualifications that demonstrate understanding of health and wellbeing such as:
Skills for Work Health and Social Care (SCQF Level 6)
SQA Wellbeing Award (SCQF Level 3-5)
Some experience in care work.Experience in a driving job, preferably with larger vehicles.
All applicants must:
Pass the Scottish Ambulance Service entrance test, including a retention and recall test, fitness test and driving assessment
Have a full current UK driving licence, including categories C1 and D1, for a minimum of two years
Pass a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Disclosure check
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